Tongaat Hulett has won acclaim for transforming the landscape north of Durban by creating South Africa’s largest mixed-use integrated human settlement project. This accolade was bestowed when Tongaat Hulett Developments was named Visionary Client of the Year at the annual CESAAon Engineering Excellence Awards.

Nominated by consulting engineering firm SMEC, the award acknowledges organisations that inspire competitors and partners to strive for even higher standards of engineering excellence. Tongaat Huletts’ nomination is all the more notable for its single-minded focus on local social imperatives, which in this case was demonstrated in the Cornubia development that lies between Durban and King Shaka International Airport.

“It is evident that Cornubia has, and will continue to redefine the manner in which development is carried out throughout eThekwini, the province and South Africa,” said Kresen Manicum, SMEC’s Regional Manager in KwaZulu-Natal, who nominated the property developer for the award. “This achievement has been grounded on a strong vision which has continually focused on value creation for all stakeholders through an all-inclusive approach to growth and development.”

A joint venture between the eThekwini Metro Municipality and Tongaat Hulett, Cornubia, once completed, is expected to comprise industrial and commercial facilities integrated with around 25 000 homes accommodating up to 120 000 people in dwellings ranging from high-density, multistorey buildings to freestanding homes.

The addition of these units is tipped to go a long way to reducing the housing backlog within the greater eThekwini region. Working closely together, Tongaat Hulett and eThekwini Municipality have successfully pioneered the integration of residential neighbourhoods with commercial, industrial and retail precincts to cater to the needs of surrounding communities and the rapidly growing population.

Sithembiso Mthembu, Head of Development Execution for Tongaat Hulett Developments, said the company is humbled by the accolade even though this recognition is for what the company regards as “business as usual”. “It makes us very mindful of the fact that we have a major social impact and responsibility,” he said.

“Our whole scope of work affects how people live, move between spaces and socialise, and it is this framework from which we plan and conceptualise our developments.

He praised the city for its foresight and vision in ensuring that Cornubia was adopted by Cabinet as a national priority project, bringing in all spheres of government as official partners.

“The visionary nature and positive impact further suggest that planning is never isolated to the confines of our land area – but rather takes into account the planning and framework for the region as a whole, thereby contributing positively to it.

“Sound, long-term, collaborative planning has great potential to significantly transform land use in a way that promotes economic development, social integration and cohesion in KwaZulu-Natal. This planning is underpinned by hands-on experience of implementation across a wide portfolio of developments.”